Everywhere you turn, people are talking about planning out their new year. This week, millions of people will resolve to lose weight, stop smoking, start a business, and any number of other things.
The fishing community is not without a few New Year’s resolutions as well. I read a great little list on Bassmaster a couple of days ago.
Well this is the MVF listing of our New Year’s fishing resolutions. Enjoy.
1. Learn Something New
It is easy to get locked into your favorite things. It might be a favorite bait, favorite spot, or favorite technique. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing (Dean Rojas and his frog comes to mind), it won’t help you diversify your skills.
Resolve to try a new technique, new tackle, or a new spot. For me, I will be trying my hand at spey casting this year, and documenting the journey here at MVF.
Find something new that interests you and give it a shot.
2. Clean Up
I am resolving to leaving every fishing spot I visit just a little bit nicer than when I got there.
Even if all I can do is pick up some trash or some errant discarded fishing line, that’s what I will do. We all have a stake in this—let’s give our fishing spots a face lift in 2012.
3. Take A Beginner Fishing
I have a few friends who have never tried their hand at fly fishing.
I am making it my mission to get them in some waders in 2012. At the end of the day, our lives are really all about the quality of our relationships, and I can’t think of many better ways to deepen a friendship than a day on the water.
4. Volunteer
I am going to be much more involved with Trout Unlimited this year. I am also going to find a way to get involved directly with one of my favorite groups, Project Healing Waters.
Take a look around, I bet you have some organizations who could use a helping hand no more than a stone’s throw away. Let’s get involved, get active, and give back more this year.
5. Catch Some Really Big Fish
Finally, I am going to go after some really freakin’ giant fish!
Hey, when the bite is on, it’s a blast to spend a day catching 20+ stockers, and I am sure I will do that some.
But I want to target the kind of fish you tell stories about this year, and have a few great pictures to show them off as well!
Well, that’s my list.
What are you resolving to make happen in 2012? Let’s hear about it in the comments. And this year, I certainly hope to see ya on the water…